“God's Call of the Righteous

(Part 7)

WAIT ON THE LORD

PSALM 37:7, 9, 34

We are sharing the message “God’s Call of the Righteous” as brought forth in Psalm 37.

If you recall, Psalm literally means “plucking the strings of a harp.” They convey in words the inner most feelings of our hearts expression. It is our heart “playing” to the Lord our prayers, our concerns, our faith, and our praise.

Psalm 37 is an acrostic poem, the stanzas of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. (Aleph, Bet, Gimmel, etc.)

We stated it is: The ABC’s of God’s promise to the righteous.

That there are six elements that are found if followed give peace to the believer regarding God’s promises and they are;

Do not FRET. TRUST in the LORD. DELIGHT yourself in the LORD. COMMIT our WAY to the LORD. REST in the LORD. And WAIT on the LORD.

We’ve shared the message “Do not Fret,” concluding that we have peace when we understand God is in control and we do not “fret.” Then we shared knowing that God is in control our part is to “Trust in the Lord.” And then God’s call to the righteous is for us to “Delight ourselves in the Lord.” Then we shared “Commit your way to the Lord.” And then last week “Rest in the Lord.” Today the sixth element of God’s ABC’s of His promise to the righteous, “Wait patiently on the Lord.”

Psalm 37:7 (NKJV)

A Psalm of David.

Daleth (Dalet)

7Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.

He (Hay)

8Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret--it only causes harm. 9For evildoers shall be cut off; but those who wait on the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.

Qoph (koof)

34Wait on the Lord, and keep His way, and He shall exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.

1. One of the most difficult parts of faith is to wait on the Lord.

David says to the righteous, “Wait patiently on the Lord”. But what does it mean to “wait patiently”?

The Hebrew word chuwl “khool” translated “wait patiently” in verse 7, comes from the root word to twist or whirl (in a circular or spiral manner) for example to dance, to writhe in pain (especially in regards to giving birth).

The other Hebrew word qavah “kaw-vah” translated “wait” in verse 8 and 34 comes from the root meaning to bind together (perhaps by twisting).

So the connotation of these words would have us to understand that “waiting patiently” or “wait” is something like enduring some sort of extruciating pain and that we twist ourselves together with God in the process. By so doing we are going to give “birth” to something beautiful.

It’s during this time that most people quit. You can’t quit if you’re waiting on God!

2. “Waiting patiently” is STAYING power.

Someone once said if men had to give birth , they would never do it again.

When a woman is having labor, there’s a point where she yells at her husband blaming him for getting her into this condition.

When God is at work producing His promises for us we are just like that. If God I had only stayed in the world, if God you hadn’t called me into this ministry. If I hadn’t asked you to save my husband/wife or my children or asked for healing then I wouldn’t have to be going through all this pain. That my friends is “waiting patiently for the Lord.”

This is hard for me and I know it’s hard for you but look at the outcome, look at the blessings, look at the promises.

And if I’m going to have that perfect peace in my life that God has promised me then that is exactly what I must do – “wait patiently.”

3. To “wait patiently” is like a woman TRAVAILING in giving BIRTH.

James 1:3-4 (NKJV)

Know… that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

God wants to birth in you completeness, so that you’re lacking nothing in your spiritual walk with Him.

Hebrews 10:36 (NKJV)

For you have need of endurance (patience), so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:

2 Corinthians 6:1-4 (NKJV)

We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2For He says:

"In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you."

Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 3We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. 4But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses,

We are His ministers, His workers together. If there is going to be reality to our faith it will be demonstrated by our “waiting patiently on the Lord.”

James 5:10-11 (NKJV)

My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. 11Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord--that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.

Look at Noah:

Genesis 8:10 (NKJV)

And he waited yet another seven days, and again he sent the dove out from the ark.

What if he said it was time? What if he didn’t wait on God’s timing?

Waiting is not difficult when everything is going easy; waiting becomes waiting when the going gets tough.

4. “When the GOING gets TOUGH, the TOUGH get GOING.”

Joseph P. Kennedy

I hope you’re getting the understanding that this waiting is not just rolling over in bed and being passive about when God is going to act. In fact in this verse we saw last week we are to “rest” but that is “resting” in the Lord and in that same verse it’s talking about “waiting.”

5. “Waiting patiently” is a verb denoting ACTION not being PASSIVE but ACTIVE.

This talks about involvement. Getting stirred in you spirit. Jesus wasn’t passive.

In the Septuagent, the translation of Hebrew into Greek this passage of scriptures uses the word “supplicate” for “wait patiently.”

37:7 Submit thyself to the Lord, and supplicate him: fret not thyself because of him that prospers in his way, at the man that does unlawful deeds.

The word “supplicate” means – to pray or ask earnestly and humbly.

And this word is found only once in the New Testatment.

Hebrews 5:7-9 (NIV)

During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him

Hebrews 5:7-9 (NKJV)

Jesus, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, 8though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,

Jesus “waited patiently” on His Heavenly Father.

Come with me to the garden. The garden of the Olive Press, Gethsemane.

Matthew 26:36-54 (NKJV)

Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, "Sit here while I go and pray over there." 37And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. 38Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me." 39He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, … Luke 22:42-44 (NKJV)

"Father (Abba), if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done." 43Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. 44And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

…40Then He came to the disciples and found them asleep, and said to Peter, "What? Could you not watch with Me one hour? 41Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." 42Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, "O My Father (Abba), if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done." 43And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy. 44So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. 45Then He came to His disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand."

47And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him." 49Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed Him. 50But Jesus said to him, "Friend, why have you come?" Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him. 51And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. 52But Jesus said to him, "Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? 54How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?"

Notice He waited. He didn’t react but acted. He didn’t get angy or fret.

Psalm 37:8 says,

8Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret--it only causes harm.

6. ANGER and FRETTING are not appropriate ACTIONS for waiting.

Hebrews 10:36 (NKJV)

For you have need of endurance (patience), so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:

7. The promise to those who wait:

God will RENEW your STRENGTH.

Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV)

But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

God will be GOOD to you.

Lamentations 3:22-25 (NKJV)

Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. 23They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. 24"The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I hope in Him!"

25The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.

God will HEAR those that wait.

Psalm 40:1-3 (NKJV)

I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. 2He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. 3He has put a new song in my mouth--Praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord.

So the next time when you wait on the Lord remember – it’s time to dance, whirl around and you maybe birthing a promise but don’t give your enemy the satisfaction of seeing your pain.

Hebrews 12:1-4 (NKJV)

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

3For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 4You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.

Remember through it all Jesus will still be there.

“god’s call OF THE RIGHTEOUS”

(Part 7)

WAIT ON THE LORD

PSALM 37:7, 9, 34

1. One of the most ___________ parts of _______________

is to _______________ on the______________________.

2. “Waiting patiently” is ___________________ power.

3. To “wait patiently” is like a woman _________________

in giving _______________.

4. “When the _______________ gets _______________, the

_________________ get _______________________.”

Joseph P. Kennedy

5. “Waiting patiently” is a _______ denoting ___________

not being _________________ but _________________.

6. __________________ and __________________ are not

appropriate _________________ for waiting.

7. The promise to those who wait:

God will ___________ your _________________.

God will be ______________ to you.

God will _________________ those that wait.

Remember through it all Jesus will still be there.

ANSWER KEY:

1. One of the most difficult parts of faith is to wait on the Lord.

2. “Waiting patiently” is STAYING power.

3. To “wait patiently” is like a woman TRAVAILING in giving BIRTH.

4. “When the GOING gets TOUGH, the TOUGH get GOING.”

Joseph P. Kennedy

5. “Waiting patiently” is a verb denoting ACTION not being PASSIVE but ACTIVE.